Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The ""headquarters"" of the Trisakti University Students Choir (PSMUT) was quiet when The Jakarta Post arrived one afternoon.
Only three students remained.
They were tidying up after it had been used for a rehearsal hours earlier. These days, the students are having regular practice sessions to prepare for a choir competition between student choirs from other universities.
""We are preparing for the next competition in Bandung, West Java. We shall perform pop songs at the event,"" said Fitriana, a choir member.
Fitriana, who studies at Trisakti School of Economy, said that choir members practice regularly, even if there is no competition.
Such sessions, she added, help improve their vocal quality and create harmony among the choristers.
""We have two mentors from the Batavia Madrigal Singers,"" she said, referring to the renowned ensemble.
With enthusiasm and high commitment, it is not surprising that PSMUT is often the winner in competitions. The latest success was in September 2006 when the group won second place in a competition at the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) in the folklore songs category.
The group also qualified for the final round in the female choir category.
In April last year, PSMUT won silver medal in a national folklore festival at the University of Indonesia.
Apart from taking part in competitions and festivals, PSMUT also performs for campus events, charity concerts and special gatherings of the business community, athletes or political leaders.
""With those performances, we can earn money to finance our daily activities,"" said Selly, another student.
Both Fitriana and Selly are happy to have joined the students choir, which is becoming increasingly popular. The choir has also performed at shopping mall Christmas celebrations in previous years.
When they were asked why they were interested in joining the choir, both students gave different answers.
""Because singing is my hobby. I joined the student choir so that I have some extracurricular activities,"" Fitriana said.
Selly, meanwhile, said that she had joined because she enjoyed the competitive element. ""I want to take part in choir competitions so I joined PSMUT,"" she said.
In addition, another student, Desy, said that she joined PSMUT to continue the hobby she had at senior high school.
Each has a different motivation, but all share the same enthusiasm and commitment to improving their choir.
""We have regular practice twice a week, every Wednesday and Saturday. Members are supposed to attend these sessions,"" Desy said.
Because singing in a choir requires musical harmony among singers, PSMUT members do not rely just on practicing. They have to take an audition to decide which choir members can take part in any given performance.
""We have auditions to select choir members; senior members do not always take part in every show,"" Selly said.
They believe that a professional approach requires dedication and a high commitment. The students define commitment as regular attendance of practice sessions twice a week.
They are now enjoying the result of all that hard work.
